Philippines, 11 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA -- Gortat rescues Wizards from Pelicans, 83-80


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- John Wall and Bradley Beal, one of the NBA's deadliest backcourt duos, missed a combined 15 shots and mustered only 23 points between them as the Washington Wizards produced their lowest output of the season on Saturday night.

But the Wizards somehow escaped with a narrow 83-80 decision at the Verizon Center, thanks to an unlikely hero, center Marcin Gortat, who was stellar on both ends of the floor.

Gortat came to Washington's rescue with 24 points and 13 rebounds. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound bruiser from Poland was also solid on defense, anchoring a resistance that held to Pelicans to just 30 of 81 from the field, a porous 37 percent clip.

"I was in the right spots. I tried to find open space, be productive, be more aggressive and more physical," said the 30-year old Gortat told the Washington Post.

Gortat, a former Magic who helped Orlando march into the 2009 NBA Finals, losing to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, made 12 of 20 shots and had four blocks. He also had a pair of assists and two steals in 41 minutes of action.

All-Star Anthony Davis was the only bright spot for New Orleans with 30 points and 13 boards. His dunk with 3:47 left to play gave the Pelicans a 77-76 advantage. But the Wiz held them to three points the rest of the way to hang on with the triumph.

The Pelicans, who owns the league's 5th most efficient offense, was held to only 12 assists while committing 12 turnovers. The Wiz, on the other hand, lathered their offense with 26 dimes and limited their miscues to nine.

The victory thrust the 10-5 Wizards to second place in the Eastern Conference, just 2 1/2 games behind the 13-3 Toronto Raptors, who recently lost All-Star DeMar DeRozan indefinitely due to a torn tendon in the groin.

With their third straight debacle, the Pelicans fell to 7-8 and 10th place in the more competitive Western Conference. (Homer D. Sayson)

Photo: Wizards center Marcin Gortat (middle) powered his way to 24 points and 13 rebounds to help Washington edge the New Orleans Pelicans, 83-80, at the Verizon Center on Saturday night.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Benavidez-Ramirez presents his mega fight on "WBC Tuesday Coffe" in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • “The Cuban Assassin" Scores Devastating 1st Round Knockout to Remain Undefeated
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Fighters Set to Shine on Matchroom Boxing Card March 21 in Orlando
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Full Card Taking Shape for ProBoxTV’s Martinez Vs. Aleem World Championship Event on Sat., March 21, from NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Mike Tyson Invitational Announces Schedule of Events for Amateur Showcase Beginning This Thursday in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Filipino chess players make a courtesy visit to GAB chairman
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Shane Mosley Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 MARCH 2026: Opetaia Outpoints Glanton to Win Inaugural Zuffa Belt; Ricardo Salas, Vlad Panin Register Wins
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Brijhana Epperson and Christian Paez Highlight Day Two of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Beltran, Prado rule Samal Half Marathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Meinke-Vargas IBF Featherweight Female World Championship Set for 12 rounds?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Ruiz and Veloz Earn Dominant Wins on Opening Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Top Rank Signs Undefeated Lightweight Prospect Sammy Contreras
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • 153 swimmers safely complete Davao-Samal-Davao Cross Channel
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO
    , Mon, 09 Mar 2026
  • Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Opetaia vs Glanton: Dana White Crowns First Boxing Champion. Is Fight Worthy?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • In Thrilling Showdown, Pagara Falls Short Against Polkinghorn by Points.
    , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Unofficial Unification Tournament Brewing For Welterweights
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Fight Results from Montreal: Steven Butler Obliterates Ramadan Hiseni; Wins by Lenar Perez, Jhon Orobio and Steve Claggett
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Former Champ Junior Makabu visits WBC offices in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • WEIGHTS FROM SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Weights from Atlantic City
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.